An Award of Honor, the top level of recognition, went to The New Children's Museum (design team led by Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA) in San Diego. The 50,000-square-foot facility is a contemporary warehouse in an urban setting that responds well to the climate - retaining heat in the winter and staying cool longer during the summer, providing maximum comfort to museum visitors. The Jurors commented that the project stands out because the museum maintains a sense of playfulness while incorporating strong, sustainable technologies, including natural ventilation, which is rare in a museum setting. Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof generate almost half of the electricity for the facility.

The Water + Life Museums (design team led by Lehrer + Gangi Design + Build) in Hemet received an Award of Merit. The first LEED(R)-Platinum rated museum celebrates the link between Southern California's water infrastructure and the evolution of life. The 65,000-square-foot facility responds well to the desert's extreme climate changes. Jurors said this is one of the most integrated projects of all the entries, with elegant architectural design combining well with sustainable technologies, including innovative shading solutions and radiant floor heating.

The second Award of Merit went to Francis Parker School (design team led by Lake/Flato Architects) in San Diego. The 43-classroom and laboratory facility promotes a healthy learning environment through balanced daylight, natural ventilation, engineered acoustics, efficient building systems and sustainable materials. The Jurors agreed that there is a strong connection between this facility and the outside as it provides well defined exterior circulation within an elegant site design.

Four projects received special citations:

— Citation for Adaptive Reuse: Mother's Club Family Learning Center in Pasadena Design team led by Harley Ellis Devereaux

— Citation for Small Public Project: North Central Animal Services Center in Los Angeles Design team led by ChoyAssociates

— Citation for Schools (K-12): Redwood Day Middle School in Oakland Design team led by Megan Riera, AIA

— Citation for Small Public Project: Santa Monica Public Library in Santa Monica Design team led by Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

SAVINGS BY DESIGN, funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the Public Utilities Commission, offers building owners and their design teams services such as no-cost design assistance and financial incentives.

This program is funded by California utility ratepayers and administered by Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, and Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. The municipal portion of this program is funded and administered by Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.